Boston Bruins: 3 takeaways from 4-3 overtime loss to the Capitals

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals faced off for the first time of eight this season last night. This was also the first of a two-game series between these two teams.

While Boston controlled play most of the game, they saw themselves lose 4-3 in overtime. The B’s haven’t had much luck against Washington lately, and this game was no different.

The Black and Gold dominated the first period. They were up 34-13 in shot attempts but were down 1-0 in the goal department. The second period was much of the same story as Boston trailed 3-1 going into the third.

In the third period, the B’s finally got some luck as they were able to tie the game, including a late goal with the goalie pulled. However, they only received a point as a returning Alex Ovechkin called game and won it for the Caps less than a minute into overtime.

3. Karson Kuhlman shouldn’t be playing in the Boston Bruins’ top-six.

Last night Karson Kuhlman made his season debut due to Jack Studnicka and Ondrej Kase being out with injuries. Surprisingly, Kuhlman played on the second line.

However, this didn’t last the entire game as Kuhlman was ultimately benched for a horrid turnover and Craig Smith ended up double shifting for the second and third lines.

Kuhlman brought basically nothing to the second line last night. He was practically invisible, aside from the turnover, and so was his line. I think it’s quite obvious Kuhlman isn’t a top-six forward and should only be playing on the third or fourth line if he’s in the lineup at all.

However, I think head coach Bruce Cassidy decided to play Kuhlman on the second line because he didn’t want to break up the third line of Trent Frederic, Charlie Coyle, and Craig Smith again.

This thought process makes sense as this this has been the team’s best so far this season, but I would’ve rather seen Smith or Coyle on the second line over Kuhlman.